Several Amador youth competed at the 2008 International Karate Championship February 29th through March 2nd in Ontario, California. Fifteen kids competed from Red Dragon Karate’s Team Amador, and all brought home awards. At the tournament, participants were judged in sparring, a contact sport where points are given throughout each program, kata, a choreographed series of movements, and a weapons division where kata is combined with a weapon, such as nun chuckus, bo staff, or sai. Placements ranged from 1st to 9th place, which according to Sensei Anthony Hanks, was a big accomplishment, as this was one of the “biggest American karate tournaments in the world.”  Sensei also noted that the kids’ “hard work, tenacity and discipline paid off” as evidenced by the awards they brought home.  Sensei motivates the kids by saying “the goals we set are the goals we get” and includes parental respect in his teachings.